Tapes

British math rockers Foals re-create the pleasures of the homemade cassette compilation on Tapes. Compiled by keyboardist Edwin Congreave and reflecting the band's collective tastes, this mixtape-on-CD digs deep into a number of eras, with an emphasis on groove and atmosphere. It takes listeners on a dizzying romp through several continents’ worth of odd tracks, including Nicolas Jaar’s mesmerizing “Space Is Only Noise,” Condry Ziqubu’s effervescent “Confusion (Ma Afrika),” Teenage Fantasy’s throbbing “Cheaters," and Tony Allen’s tingly “Kilode.” And from there it gets even more variegated and quirky, veering from the subterranean house sounds of Art Department’s “We Call Love” to the vintage disco glitz of Cerrone’s “Give Me Love” (as remixed by Frankie Knuckles) and the cosmic beat antics of Julio Bashmore’s “Battle for Middle You.” Overall, the tune selection seems at once whimsical and utterly logical, offered with a generous spirit and not an ounce of irony. Tapes offers an underground dance party that anyone can crash.